Dredging apparatus.



' BEST AVAILABLE COPY 867,984. PATENTED OCT. 15, 1907.

S. LAKE. DRBDGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 21, 190B.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Gama",

BEST AVAILABLE COPY PATENT-3D 00115, 19.07

S. LAKE.

DRBDGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED D50. 21, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m. 867,98;- BEST AVA'LABLE COPY PAT-ENTEI-J 001?. 15,1907.

S. LAKE.

DRBDGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DBO.21,1906.

A SHEETS-SHEET 3.

BEST AVAILABLE COPY A S. LAKE.

PATENTBD 00$. 15, 1907.

BDGING APPARATUS.-

K APPLICATION FILED 1330.21. 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

BEST AVAILABLE COPY PATEN OFFICE.

Sl'MON LAKE, Ol" lilllllGlFlPOlt'l, CONNEC'liC-Ul.

DREDG-IN'G APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1907.

Application filed December 2], 1906. Serial No. 348,993.

To all 'it'lzo'm i! may concern:

to it known that I. Smon LAKE, a citizen of the United States residing at Bridgeport, county oi Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Dredging Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of this invention is to provide a dredging apparatus, having especially in view the recovery of gold and other material from the beds of rivers and other bodies of water.

At the present time, in certain localities, gold is re covered by bucket and grab dredges and by suction dredges, but satisfactory results have no, been achieved. owing to the natural difficulties encountered, such as wind and wave currents. In the case of river dredging, it is usually necessary to remove sand, stones and even boulders to get down to the richest. deposits; and where the bed is rocky and uneven, or where large boulders exist and the currents are rapid, bucket d edging is impracticable, for the reason that the buckets cannot be lowered into the crevices; and on bottoms where the buckets can work, the nuggets and line gold, which lie at the bottom of the sand and stones, are lost by being dropped or washed out of the bottoms of the excavating device, especially where the currents are strong.

Suction dredges as now constructed are well adapted for handling sand, gravel and small stones, but the suction or lifting force has not been sutlicient to successiully lift gold, owing to the high specific gravity of the latter and the fact that the gold settles upon the bottom and away from the influence of the suction pipe, leaving only the lighter particles to be recovered. Particularly is this true where boulders and rocks exist, and where the currents are strong or the surface of the water is rough, since it is impossible for divers to operate successfully either for blasting, which is necessary at times to get at the richest deposits, or to handle the suction pipe to bring it sutliciently close to the bed rock or clay bottom to recover the gold.

The invention comprises a submergible tube. having its lower end terminating in a casing forming a working chamber, with which is connected suct ion apparatus employed for collecting the gold, sand and gravel and delivering it into sq in rat ing clmmbers where the gold is separated from the sand and gravel and the sand and gravel finally discharged back into the body of water. Supplemental means are employed for assisting the suction apparatus in lifting the gold, sand, gravel and water; and furthermore, means are employed within the working chamber, capable of being operated independently of the suction apparatus for collecting the gold located in small crevices and in places where the larger pipes cannot work. The casing containing the working chamber also contains means for shifting the casing laterally as required in the progress of the dregding.

The invention also comprises certain details of construction and arrangement. of parts, as will be fully set forth in the following description and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a partial plan view. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the lower or working end of the tube. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of part of the casing back of the section Figv 3, illustrating means for shifting the lower end of the tube in lateral directions. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section drawn on the line 55 of Fig. 3. Fig. ti is a vertical section drawn on the line (i-6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a vertical section drawn on the line 77 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the tube showing the separating chambers. Fig. 9 is a cross section of the tube, the section on the right-hand side being drawn through the irregular line 99 of Fig. 8, and the section on the left-hand side being drawn on the line 9"'9, Fig. 8.

designates the submergible tube, supported at its upper end by yielding supports 13, in the well D of a suitable surface vessel B The extreme upper end of the tube terminates in an angular portion which in the position shown extends substantially vertical from the surface of the water and maybe provided with a hatch A, to prevent the ingress of water.

The tube A is divided throughout its length by longitudinal partition platcs into three compartments A A, A, the central compartment A providing a passage-way to and from the casing at the lower or working end of the tube, while the compartments A are divided by transverse plates A into a series of separating chambers D, thrown into connnunication by pipes E. Within each chamber D and extending its full length, is a screen 1) (preferably constructed of bars) which extends from the discharge end oi each pipe E, upon a compound curve to the mouth or entrance of the next higher pipe, and within the mouth of each pipe is a propeller F, held upon one end of the shaft F, whose opposite cud is provided with a pinion F'-, engaged by a gear F, upon the shaft of the motor F, held in the compartment A, of the tube. The shafts of all the motors extend through the plates 1\'-, and the gears and pinions are protected by suitable housings F to preventtheir contact with the water, sand and gravel during the passage of the latter through the chambers.

The working end or casing C, is considerably larger in diameter than the tube and somewhat in the shape of a drum, but having concave-convex heads or ends C. The casing is divided by plates C into three compartments 0 C, G, the compartment C forming a working compartment in which may be located centrifugal pumps ll. each ctnnmunicating with a. chamber in the respective compariiuents t. amt each pump is operated by a suitable motor l. connected by leadwires with a dynamo not shown) located on the sinlace vessel. eating with its respective compartment is a suction pipe .l, supported at its t'ree end by a chain .l. operating on a drum .l", supported upon a shaft l, which extends through the adjacent head t and divisional plate ("-1 and each has its inner end provided with a crank .l*, by which the shaft and drum are revolved. A pawl and ratchet J are employed or holding the strait and likewise the tube. in position. .1 this arrangement the suction pipes I may be readily raised and lowered to bring their lower ends into proper relation with the bed of the river. .Cach compartment (1*, is subdivided by a partition C, providing a separate chamber C, into which the discharge ends of the respective suction pipes J, empty. The pumps H communicate with the chambers C through the suction openings t Arranged in each chamber C is a screen C. against which the material is discharged when it flows out of the suction pipe. but this material is prevented from directly entering the openings C by a halite plate t, interposed between the pump adit and the suction ripening C When the water and materials are discharged into the chambers C", they fall upon the screens C through which the gold passes and, by gravity. collect towards .he lower end of the chambers, while the water, sand tnd lighter particles of gold and other materials will 'eadily pass out through the suction openings The arger materials which could not pass through the icreens will fall down towards the suction 'opening diectly in the sphere of the action ol' the pump and will )0 drawn into and forced out through the discharge )ipes K. i

The pipes K, discharge upon the screens D, of the owermost chambers D, in the tube A, where any of be lighter particles of gold that may have passed hrough the first. separating chamber, are separated rent the sand and larger materials by passing through he screens and are collected in the lower ends of the hambers. The larger particles of gravel with the sand .nd water continue through the chambers. and enter he pipes E, and discharge upon the next screens, and n on throughout the length ot'the tube. This arrangeient ol' chambers gives a s ries of separating stages thereby all of the gold is collected. It will be undertood that as many chambers may be employed as conitions require.

As shown in Figv 8. each discharge pipe K, is oi naller dian'icter than the pipes l, which would natuilly cause a diminution in the velocity of the outilow 1g water and materials. and to compensate for this re propellers F. are provided which serve to accelerate to water and material passing through the pipes.

In the bottom of each separating chamber C. ranged a. semi-circular trough, L, having a screw mveyer 1/,oporated by a gear If, meshing with a. inion if, upon the free end of the conveyer shalt. he outer end of each trough terminates in a T-pipe iction L", to one end of which is connected a flexible iction tube L, the opposite end being connected to .lourualtal in each head and communil3li$l Ai/AlLABLE COPY A. or the tube and discharges into a s table tank prolf and nun is fit. serve. lirst. for onveyin the old tr m tinl l \idcd on the suriace \t'sst-l. "intubes th lower ends oi the collecting chamber as a supplemental means for collecting the gold and other metals from small crevices and other platw s where the larger pipes cannot rear-h.

When it i. the (hand: hole plate or cover I\' closing the manhole in the bottom ot the compartment t. l the casing t. is removed and the end ol either llcxible pipe is l|l t'1't' ed into the water, the pump is then set in molion through the medium ol a chain lttll running from a sprocket on the shaft of the motor 1, which draws in water and forces it up through the pipe M; theconveyer is then operated and draws the closely packed gold int o the path of the intlowing water and is conveyed there with through the pipe M and empties into the recepta etc as previously stated. This operation is not et't'ected. however, until communication of the lower or working end of the tube A has been cut oil from the upper end, which is done by closing and locking the manhole csired to clean plates 0, over the opening frames 0, built in the lower end of the tube A, (Fig. 7). Compressed air is admitted through the valve controlled pipe ruu ning from an air pump (not. shown) on the surlaco vessel sutlicient to counterlialance the pressure of water at the bottom of the tube. (.lommunication to the lower end of the tube is likewise cut oll when it. is desired to handle the tubes L and insert their lower ends into small cracks and crevices. in this instance the diver operates on the bed of the river through the manh le with perfect. freedom, irrespective of currents and wave niolion. and thus is able to collect; all the precious metals which have, through their great spccilic gravity, worked their way down thr ugh the sand and gravel and found a. resting place in such openings.

(aster rollers I are secured to the heads (3 of the casing to support the casing and the lower end ot the tube A and prevent. the casing and tube from coming into c ntact with the water bed.

An anchor chain Q, is arranged in a pipe extending through the casing. Figs 4 and (i, the ends of the chain being provided with anchors, Fig. 2, ol any suitable pattern. The chain passes between two chain wheels Q. Fig. 4. journaled in n. \vaterdight housipg interposed in the pipe and arranged in the working compartment ol the casing. (inc shaft of one chain wheel is pr vided with a cranlehandle by which the wheel may be revolved. the chain is engaged by them and consequently the lower end of the tube and casing may be shifted laterally in either dir ction.

A cable I. suspended from a Windlass (not sh wn) on the surlace Vessel is connected to the lower end of the tube, and by it the latter may be raised when the surface vessel is moved any considerable distance.

in operation the lower end oi the tube is lowered so that the casing will rest adjacent to the water bed. The suction tubes are then adjusted and the pumps started. and thereby will be drawn in water and all sand, gravel and gold that may lie in the path ol the suction tubes. The water and materials are first, deposited liy revolving the \\lltt ill the separating chambers C, and falling upon the screens the gold will pass, but the larger particles of grmel will collect upon the screens. When the gold hasv banked up in the chambers so as to come within the sphere of action of the suction pumps, it then drawn through the pumps and forced through the pipt s ii, into the lowermost separating chambers D, formed in the tube A, where it falls upon the screens D, through which the lighter particles of gold, that may have escaped through the chambers C, will pass and collect until the lower portions of the chamber are filled and the material accumulated above the screens, when it, and the sand and larger gravel that could not find a passage through the screens, will be thrown into the path of the outilowing water and with it carried to the next chamber, and so on throughout the entire length of the tube. Thus there are a series ot separating actions by which all 01' the gold may be separated and collected from the sand and gravel. The gold being much heavier than the sand and gravel will not be so susceptible to the influences of the rip-traveling water as these materials, and will readily fall through the screens and collect in the bottoms 01' the chambers, and the water, sand and gravel will be finally discharged into a tank upon the surface vessel from which they will fall back into the body of water, or may be led to any suitable locality in any usual manner.

At intervals the gold and heavier substances collected inthe chambers C are removed by the conveyors, as before stated. The material in the various chambers E) may be removed through openings d, normally held closed by plates (1, shown most clearly in Figs. 8 9nd 9, but each chamber may be provided with a conveyor and connected up with the pipes M in the same manner as the chambers 0. Suitable manholes are also provided by which access may be had to all'of the chamhers.

What I claim is:

l. dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible lube, having a working chamber at its lower end, and a suction apparatus arranged in connection with and oper able from the working chamber and adapted for delivering material to the upper end of the tube through said tube.

2. A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible lul having a working compartment in its lower end, and means arranged in the said compartment for collecting and delivering material to the upper end of the tube.

A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergibie lube, having a casing at its lower end containing a working: chamber, suction tubes arranged alongside of said casing for collecting and delivering material to the upper end of the lube, and means within said casing and operuhlc within said working chamber for moving the lower -nd oi the lube in lateral directions.

t. dredging apparatus. comprising a sulnncrgible tube, having separating chambers arranged therein, a

.roiking compartment at the lower end of the tube, and menus :irru'iged in the working compartment [or collecting and delivering material to the said separating chamb l'H.

3. A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible lube. separating chambers arranged therein throughout its =gth. and means in the lower end of the tube for col Keeling and delivering material to the said chambers.

H. A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible tube. a casing arranged at the lower end thereof and containing a working compartment and separating chambers, separating chambers arranged in and throughout the length of the tube, and suction apparatus for collecting and delivering material and forcing it through all of the said chambers.

, BEST AVAILABLE coPY T. A dredging apparatus, comprising submergible tube, a casing arranged at, its .lower end, a working compartment and separating chambers in the tube, suction upparatu: controllable from the compartment for delivering material inio the chambers and from the chambers to the upper end or the lube. and means for removing the colm-rcd material from the said chamb s.

dredging apparatus. compr -1ug a sulnnergible liiltt. havii separating chambers arranged in successive order throughout its length, suction apparatus for col lecting and forcing material to and through thecllumhcrs. and menus in the chambers for accelerating the passage ol the material.

A dred ing apparatus. comprising a sulnnergible tube. having its lower end terminating in a casing. a .arking compartment and separating chambers in the (using. communicating separating chambers formed in the tribe. suction apparatus communicating with the chambers in the casing. suction pipes also connected to the chamu. means for raising and lowering the pipes, and dc; livery pipes connecting; the suction apparatus and the lowermost: chambers in the tube. v

.10. A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible tube. having a series of communicating separating chambers formed therein. a casing at the lower end of the tube. said casing having a working compartment and scparzrtiug chzunbers. suction tubes connected to the lust. mentioned rhambers. pumps connected to the said chambers. and a discharge pipe extending from each pump to one o! the chambersin the tube.

11. A dredging apparatus, comprising :n-submergible tubeshaving a series of separating chambers, screens held in the chambers. a casing connected to the lower end of the tube. separating chambers arranged in the casing and having screens therein, suction pumps and tubes connected to the last mentioned chambers, delivery pipes for conveying material from the pumps to the chambers in the tube. and means for operating the pumps for the purpose specified. 12. A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible tube, having a passageway throughout its length. and separating chambers adjacent thereto acasing at the lower end of the tube, having a wo king compartment communicating with the passage-way, separating chambers in the casing adjacent to the working compartimmt, suction tubes and pumps connected to the separating chambers in the casing, and delivery pipes extending from the pumps to the separating chambers in the tube.

13. A dredging apparatus, comprising a sulnnergiblc tube, having a passage-way throughout its length, and separating chambers adjacent thereto, screens in the chambers. pipes connecting the chambers abm'c the screens, a casing at the lower-end ot' the tube and having a working compartment communicating with the said pa s gc-wa v, separating chambers adjacent to the compartment. screens inthe said chambers, pumps connected with the separating chambers in the casing, delivery pipes couuectld to the pumps and to one of the chambers in the and suction pipes connected to the separating chumin the casing.

dredging apparatus, comprising a submcrgiblc tube. a casing connected thereto and having a manhole and cover for some, suction pumps arranged in the ca 'ng and having tubes which are adapted to operate through the manhole. means for closing communication between the sulunergiblc tube and the casing, and a compressed air supply pipe extending into the casin 15. A dredging apparatus, comprising a sulnncrgiblc tube. a casing at one end thereof, and having a working -mpzirlnwnt and scparaling chambers. suction tubes cunncctcd to the chambers. pumps connected to the chambers. and discha' pipes connected to the pumps.

16. A dredging apparatus, comprising a sulnncrgible lube having a working compartment at its lower end, communicating separating chambers in the tube, a suction apparatus. suction pipes communicating with the suction apparatus. and delivery pipes connected to the suction apparatus and extending to the lowermost chambers in the tube.

17. A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible tube having a casing at its lower end, separating chamand delivering material to the lowermost ol' the said chaliibcrs,

til. dredging apparatus, comprising a sulunergible tube having a we king compartment at its lower end and chambers.tbrougliout its length. creens in the chambers. connecting the cbaiubers above the screens. pro pellei uni-tinted in the pipes. means for operating the propeliei z'nl suction apparatus for collecting and delivering material to the lowermost of the chambers.

20. A dred ing apparatus. comprising a Slibliiti'fJQiIilt. tube having a passage-war tlirougliont its length anti a working compartment: at its lower end. separating chainot-i's arranged adjacent-to the passage-way and commit icating therewith. means for opening and closing such 0 municatiou. pipes connecting the separating chambers. propellers mounted in the pipes. means for operating the propellei and suction pumps for collecting and delivering material to the lowermost chambers in the tube.

It. A dredging apparatus. comprising a submergihle tube. a casing at its lower end and having a manhole and pipes cover for same. division plates in the casing forming a working compartment and separating chambers in said casing. suction pumps connected to the chambers. delive v pipes extending from the pumps. and means for cleaning the lower portions of the chambers.

2;. A dredging apparatus. comprising a snbmergible tube. a casing at its lower end and having a manhole and cover for same. division plates in the casing forming a working compartment and separating chambers in said casing. suction putups connected to the chambers, delivery pipes extending from the pumps, a trough formed in the lower portion oi each chamber. each trough having its outer end terminating in a pipe section which ex leads into the working compartmeiit, a screw convcver oper. ting in each trough. a flexible tube connected to one end of the pipe section. a pump connected to the opposite end of the pipe section. and a delivery pipe e;\'tending from the pump.

O A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible tube. a casing at its lower end and having a working compartmeiit and separating chambers. a screen in each of said ehainbcrs. suction pipes connected to the chambers and discharging therein above the screens. pumps arranged for connection with the chambers, delivery pipes extending from the pumps, and means for removing material from the chambersbelow the screens.

:4. dredging apparatus. comprising a tithe having a central passage-way throughout. its length and separating chambers adjacent thereto throughout the length ol' the ttibe. screens dividing the chambers longitudinally. pipes connecting the chambers, a casing at the lower end of the tube and having a central working compa rtment which communicates with the said passageway, parating chambers adjacent to the compartment. a screen in each of the. separating chambers in the casin; suction tubes connected to the last mentioned chambers above the screens, pumps connected to the said chambers, and delivery pipes connected to the pumps and discharging into the lowermost chambers in the said submcrgible tube.

A dredging apparatus, comprising a subinergible having a passage-war throughout its length, coiniunnicatiug s parating chambers formed in the tube ad jaceni. to the pas age-wa a casing at the lower end of the tube. having a working compartment provided with a manhole and a cover for the same, separating chambers in the casing adjacent to the compartment. suction pipes connected to the chambers of the casing. pumps adapted for drawing material into the chambers of the casing through the suction pipes and delivering it from the said chambers to the chambers of the submergible tube, means tube BEST AVAiLABLE QOPY I for opening and cl o .ig contmunieation between t passage-war and the working compartment. and means for removing the collected material from the chambers ot' the casing.

2H. dredging apparatus. colii]l|" iiig a tube. partition plates arranged longitudinally therein and dividing the tube into a central compartment forming a e-wa through the tube and side compartments on each side of the central coin nirtinent. transverse plates arranged in the side compartments and dividing them into a series ot chambers. screens arranged in each chamher. the said partition plates having openings leading into the. chambers. and plates covering the openin pipes extending from one chamber to the other, a casing at the lower end oif the said tube, and pumps for collecting and delivering inateral to the said chambers.

:37. dredging apparatus, comprising a subinergible tube. a casing at the lower end thereof, separating chambcrs arranged in the casing suction tubes connected to the chambers. pumps connecting the chambers, deliverv pipes extending from the pumps. and means for shifting the lower end of the tube in lateral directions.

2H. A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible tube. a casing at the lower end thereof, suction pumps. suction tubes atlordiiig coiiiinunic tion between the casing and the pumps. a tithe extending laterally through the casing. a chain extending through the said tube and having its ends provided with anchors, and means for moving the lower or casing end of the tube along the chain in either direction.

29. A dredging apparatus, comprising a submergible tube having chambers at the lower end thereot'. screens in the chambers, suction tubes connected to the chambers and discharging upon the screens, and suction pumps coininunicatiiig with the. chambers.

30. A dredging apparatus, comprising a snbinergible tube having separate chambers at its lower end, suction tubes connected to the tube and discharging into the chainmeans for adjusting the tube, and pumps communicat with the chambers and having delivery pipes extending therefrom.

31. A dredging apparatus, comprising a tube, one end of which is adapted to be lowered into the water. suction tubes arranged at the lower end of the tube and adapted for collecting and delivering material to the upper end ot the tube.

23;. A dredging apparatus, comprising a subinergible tube having a passageavay throughout its length. suction tubes ai ngcd at the lower end of the subinergible tube for collecting and delivering material to the surface, and means controlled from within the subinergible tube for moving its lower end in lateral directions.

311A dredging apparatus, comprising a subinergible tube having a passage-way throughout its length and a working chamber cominunicatiaig with the passage-way, and means controlled from within the said chamber for collecting and delivering material to the surface.

I A dredging appar.-itus, comprising a submcrgible tube closed at its lower end and having a hatch in the said end. a cover for the hatch. means for closing commuuication to the lower end oi the tube to provide an airtight chamber. means for supplying air under pressure to the. chamber. and suction pipes controlled from within the chamber for (o||t( ing and delivering material to the. upper end of the tube.

213. A dredging apparatus, comprising a tube, one end of which is adapted to be lowered into a body of water and having a passageway throughout its length, the said lower end having a hatch opening and cover for the same. means for closing communication to the lower end, means controlled from within the tube for collecting aiid delivering material to the upper end of the tube, and means for closing the passageway adjacent to the lower end of the tube.

in testimony whereof I have hereunto setv my hand this .itlth day of December A. I). 1906.

SIMON LAKE.

Witnesses M. I). BLoNonn, A. M. DEAN. 

